Dreamy Red Velvet Cake Parfaits Recipe: Sweet Layers of Joy

Sweet layers of decadent red velvet cake mingle with creamy frosting in these irresistible red velvet cake parfaits that promise pure dessert bliss.

Every spoonful delivers a luxurious mix of rich chocolate undertones and velvety smooth textures.

The vibrant red hue catches the eye, making these parfaits a stunning centerpiece for any gathering.

Silky cream cheese frosting weaves through tender cake crumbles, creating an elegant dessert that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

Guests will swoon over the delicate balance of flavors and gorgeous presentation.

Each parfait becomes a personal-sized indulgence that turns an ordinary moment into something extraordinary.

Get ready to fall in love with this showstopping dessert that combines classic charm with modern elegance.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients Needed for Red Velvet Cake Parfaits

• Red Velvet Cake Mix: Provides a rich, velvety chocolate foundation with a subtle red hue, perfect for creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and create a tender, moist cake texture.
• Water: Helps hydrate the cake mix and create a smooth batter consistency.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a soft, moist cake with a tender crumb and added richness.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers a tangy, smooth base for the custard with a classic cheesecake-like flavor.
• Milk: Softens the cream cheese and adds a light, creamy consistency to the custard.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic sweetness that complements the red velvet flavor.
• Sour Cream: Provides extra tanginess and helps create a luscious, velvety custard texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the cream cheese mixture.

• Red Sprinkles, Chocolate Chips, Red Velvet Crumbs: Add visual appeal, textural contrast, and extra bursts of flavor to the parfait.

Tools for Making Red Velvet Cake Parfaits

• 9 x 13: Essential for baking red velvet cake base.
• Hand or Stand Mixer: Perfect for mixing cake batter and cream cheese custard smoothly.
• Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing cake batter and custard.
• Toothpick: Crucial for checking cake doneness.
• Cutting Board: Used for cutting cake into squares.
• Sharp Knife: Helps create precise 1
• Clear Wine Glasses or Trifle Bowl: Ideal for layering and presenting parfaits.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping bowl sides and smooth mixing.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Build Red Velvet Cake Parfaits

• Cake Preparation

Whip up a delectable red velvet cake by blending cake mix with eggs, water, and oil until silky smooth. Pour the vibrant batter into a pan and bake until golden and springy.

• Dreamy Cream Cheese Cloud

Create a velvety custard by whipping cream cheese with milk, vanilla, and sour cream. Fold in powdered sugar until luxuriously thick and creamy.

• Parfait Layers

Transform your dessert into a stunning masterpiece by cutting the cooled cake into bite-sized cubes. Artfully layer these ruby-red morsels with generous dollops of cream cheese custard in elegant glasses.

• Tempting Finishing Touches

Sprinkle extra cake crumbs, playful red sprinkles, or decadent chocolate chips on top to add a whimsical crunch. Chill in the refrigerator to let the flavors mingle and intensify.

• Serving Invitation

When ready to indulge, pull out these show-stopping parfaits that promise a sweet escape into pure dessert bliss. Each spoonful promises a symphony of rich, smooth textures that dance on your palate.

Tips and Custom Layers for Red Velvet Cake Parfaits

• Mix up the garnishes with crushed Oreo cookies, chocolate shavings, or fresh raspberries for a unique twist.
• Use a piping bag to create neat, elegant cream cheese custard layers that look professionally prepared and make serving a breeze.
• Prepare the cake and custard one day in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save time and enhance flavor development.
• Experiment with different cake densities by slightly under-baking or over-baking the red velvet cake to create varying crumb textures in your parfaits.
• Substitute cream cheese with coconut cream and use almond milk for a lighter, plant-based version of the cream cheese custard that still delivers rich flavor.

Plating and Serving Red Velvet Cake Parfaits

• Elevate Your Dessert Experience: Create visually stunning red velvet parfaits that transform a simple cake into an elegant, layered treat perfect for special occasions.
• Layer with Love: Build each parfait carefully, alternating soft cake squares with creamy custard to create beautiful, Instagram-worthy dessert glasses that showcase delicious textures and colors.
• Personalize Your Parfait: Sprinkle additional red velvet crumbs, chocolate chips, or festive red sprinkles on top to add extra crunch and make each serving unique and delightful.
• Chill and Serve: Refrigerate parfaits for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and custard set, ensuring a refreshing and decadent dessert that impresses guests.

Keeping Red Velvet Cake Parfaits Fresh

• Refrigerate with Care: Store these delightful parfaits in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the layers fresh and creamy.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the parfaits up to 24 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld and custard to set perfectly.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual parfait glasses tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before enjoying.
• Crumb and Custard Tip: Keep extra cake crumbs and cream cheese custard separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator for quick assembly or last-minute dessert touch-ups.

Velvety Red Velvet Cake Parfaits Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Red velvet cake parfaits combine classic Southern charm with layered elegance. Creamy mascarpone, rich chocolate crumbles, and smooth cream cheese frosting create a dessert you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (13.25 oz / 375 g) package red velvet cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 mL) water
• ⅓ cup (80 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 (8 oz / 225 g) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (240 mL) whole milk
• ¾ cup (180 mL) sour cream
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and coat a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Cake Mixing: Blend red velvet cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil using an electric mixer. Blend for 1-2 minutes until achieving a silky, uniform batter without lumps.
3. Baking Process: Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 22-25 minutes. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean from the cake’s center.
4. Cooling Stage: Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature for 60-90 minutes.
5. Custard Creation: Whip softened cream cheese, milk, vanilla extract, sour cream, and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until developing a rich, smooth custard with a thick consistency.
6. Cake Transformation: Cut cooled cake into precise 1-inch square pieces.
7. Parfait Assembly: Layer cake squares and cream cheese custard in clear wine glasses or a trifle bowl, creating multiple alternating layers.
8. Finishing Touches: Garnish with red velvet cake crumbs, red sprinkles, or chocolate chips for visual appeal.
9. Serving Preparation: Refrigerate assembled parfaits until ready to serve, maintaining their elegant structure and cool temperature.

Notes

• Cake Mix Precision: Use room temperature ingredients for smoother, more even cake batter that blends perfectly without lumps.
• Toothpick Test Mastery: Check cake doneness by inserting a clean toothpick – a clean exit means perfectly baked cake without raw centers.
• Cooling Crucial: Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature for 60-90 minutes to prevent custard from melting during assembly.
• Layering Technique: Create visually stunning parfaits by carefully alternating uniform cake squares and cream cheese custard for a professional-looking dessert.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg